How Do You Foster Cats With Special Needs? Tips and Advice From an Experienced Foster Mom
Key takeaways:
Em Willatt, a 38-year-old attorney from South Philadelphia, fosters cats and helps them find homes.
She has cared for more than 40 cats, including those with blindness and neurological disorders.
Through her experiences, she’s come up with some practical tips for caring for cats and giving them a second chance at life.
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Em Willatt says her South Philadelphia home isn’t the calmest place, but it might win the award for most purrs and cuddles.
The 38-year-old attorney shares her space with five cats of her own and an ever-changing cast of characters — foster cats. Some of them have complex medical needs such as blindness or neurological disorders that make it challenging for them to get adopted.
“I really enjoy seeing them get healed up, get the medical care that they need, and the homes they need,” Em says.
How she became a feline foster mom
In the year and a half she’s been fostering, Em has hosted about 40 cats and kittens. It all started thanks to her dog, Calamari (Cali for short).
Cali, a pit bull-Catahoula mix, has a knack for finding kittens. During a walk one day, Cali heard kittens crying and stopped to investigate. Unsure of what to do, Em turned to Facebook for help. A friend assisted her in trapping the stray kittens. With support from a local rescue group called Kitten Snatchers, Em fostered them until they were adopted.
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That might have been the end of her cat-rescue career, but Cali had other ideas. “The dog kept finding kittens,” Em says. Despite being an excitable dog, Em says Cali was calm around the kittens and didn’t scare them away. Feeling a sense of responsibility, Em continued fostering.
One kitten, Imani, holds a special place in Em’s heart. Imani came to her with a broken femur and was at risk of being euthanized, Em says. After surgery, Imani was diagnosed with cerebellar hypoplasia.Also known as “wobbly cat syndrome,” this neurological condition affects balance and coordination. But it hasn’t stopped Imani from wrestling with other foster cats.
“She thinks she belongs here,” Em says of Imani, who is still waiting for her forever home.
The challenges and rewards of caring for cats with special needs
Fostering cats with health challenges may sound intimidating, but Em says it’s often easier than people think. Many conditions, like infections or minor injuries, need basic care, such as medication and follow-up vet visits.
Even giving medication — a common hurdle for cat owners — is manageable with kittens, Em says. They accept it as part of their routine, she says. Liquid medications are easiest to give, while pills can be hidden in food.
Some cases, though, are more complex. Em has cared for cats that needed surgery. One cat she fostered had a jaw deformity and another needed both eyes removed. For these cases, she says, it’s important to be able to adapt and seek expert advice when you need it.
Despite the hurdles medical needs can present, one of her toughest challenges is saying goodbye. But knowing her fosters are headed to loving homes makes it worth it.
Em’s tips for fostering cats with special needs
1. Do what you can
Em balances fostering with a demanding job. She limits the number of cats she takes in and avoids those requiring constant care. An old smartphone doubles as a security camera to keep an eye on the cats while she’s out.
2. Get support
The rescue group Kitten Snatchers covers vet bills and provides advice when Em needs it. She recommends finding local animal rescue organizations. They can provide foster parents with r resources, medical care, and fostering support.
What do you need to know when you take in a stray cat? Here’s what one pet owner learned when she adopted a calico kitty.
How do you gain a cat’s trust? Adopting a rescue cat that’s fearful and skittish can be a challenge. Read about one person’s experience and how they bonded with their pet.
What vaccines do kittens need? Learn about essential vaccinations for kittens.
3. Trust your instincts
“If you notice something weird, your instincts are probably correct,” Em says. She encourages getting unusual symptoms checked out and seeking guidance. “A lot of it is not going to be as scary or as terrible as you think it’s going to be.”
4. Don’t be intimidated
Taking in cats with medical needs might seem overwhelming at first “I was really worried when I started out,” she says. “But most of the time, it’s surprisingly easy.”
Even though these cats might need a little extra time and attention, Em says they’re worth it. “They’re super fun, with great personalities, just like any other cat,” she says. “They deserve a chance at a home, too.”
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